yes. since laser works only when they have the gun pointed directly on your car . The cop will usually be squatting outside the vehicle with the laser gun perched on the door. they need a long stretch of road to do this. my detector pics up laser only on highways around here and will emit the loudest sound to let you know if your speeding youve been caught!

 

i see the v1 can be mounted in the rear view mirror, does anyone know anyone who has done this?

 

hmm link? I played around with it changing it from big L to small l. I guess one is for city and the other is for highway. I didn't see much of a difference in the city.

It goes off at about every intersection / plaza...

 

in my area all they use is laser... so all these radar detectors are basically useless in my area which sucks

 

I noticed it's actually easier than ever to find the info on the website now...Valentine1 website >support>how to reprogram...

How to Reprogram V1 Radar Detector

I think there used to be a PDF download before, the text on that page is kind of blurry / small but readable still.

I turn off X band altogether as I can't begin to remember the last time I saw it being used and it's always a false when I'd get that signal.
I set K band to stay silent unless the signal hits four bars or if it continues for more than about 15 seconds IIRC, good in case you're being followed, silent as you pass by the supermarket...
KA, I left alone.

 

I have this on my FX and G for the V!. google blendmount and invisicord. get those 2 things and you are set.

 

escort redline or the V1
I understand the redline is out of your price range but its right up there with the V1...there are certain situations where one will out perform the other but overall these two are the best...

I chose with the V1

 

can you show pics of it working in your G?

 

Same here but it's great for highway commutes. Has already saved me from state police hiding in clever spots.

Thanks CaptainO! I will play around with the settings.

I hear the new passport 9500xi is a great detector aswell. It comes with gps technology which remembers the locations of false alerts.

 

V1 nuff said!! only about 1000 cheaper than that top o the line passport setup too if your trying to save $$$

 

I can live with falses...some people find them annoying...but performance wise the 9500ix or 9500ci is behind the V1 and redline...

you'll appreciate the V1 in instances were the officer may be using QT this is where the V1 outshines other detectors...its only weakness Ill say is off axis 35.5 KA band...but other than that I'd put my money on the V1...

most detectors will perform well where the cops are running constant on radar...instances where they are using instant on/QT is where EVERY second matters and I'd take my chances with the V1...

OP did mention a stealth detector however...Redline should be your first choice (but its out of the price range you mentioned by about a hundred dollars) so the next best thing would probably be the beltronics STi-R

 

A little off topic, so I apologize OP. I've heard around though that new radar systems are going into effect in undercover police vehicles. I don't know ANY details, but it's what I've heard from local PD. It's supposedly non-detectable by today's recent radar systems. Anyone?

PS I have the 9500xi escort passport. I have to say, it's paid definitely paid for itself. Oddly enough, I thought I was tagged as I was going 40 in a 30. I looked to my right, and the cop was sitting RIGHT there. The radar went off, but because it shot up so quickly, I assumed I would be getting a ticket. Turns out, I was safe? Not sure how that worked out...but meh no ticket!

 

I have the STI Driver. I need this for ontario driving though, but it works great. I have taken this from my wifes MDX for the time being until Bel comes out with the STI-R Plus which will have band segmetation which will really increase detection.

 

instant is the one thing a detector won't save you from...but as for the first question i have not heard of that ...nor has anyone spoken on it any the radar detector forums...so I doubt its true...most cops think radar detector don't even work so I'd call BS on that one

 

I have Beltronic RX65..
There are many test results out there. V1 is the BEST. but Ugly as h*ll